Baby carriage



May 12, 1931. I J EBERLE 1,805,135

BABY CARRIAGE Filed Aug. 24, 1927 W 0 v INVENTOR i 3 John 6. ffie /e.

Patented May 12, 1931 mans JOHN A. EBERLE, OF ST. LGUIS, MlT$SOURL ASSIGNOR TO THE PERFECTION MANU- FACTURING COIYJZPANY, OF ST. LGUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPOBA'ITDN 03 MI, $01731 BABY CARRIAGE Application fiied August 24, 1927.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in folding baby carriages and more particularly to a method of folding the carriage whereby the body portion retains its its form so that the bed-ding which is customarily used in these devices does not have to be removed upon collapsing the article.

Tn folding baby carriag s now in use of the hammock type contemplated by my present invention, it is customary to break the hammock intermediate its ends in collapsing the device. This makes it necessary to remove the bedding and if it is desired to transport the carriage, which is the principal object in using this type of vehicle, it is necessary to carry two packages, one being the carriage itself and the other the bedding.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a folding baby carriage of the hammock type wherein the hammock remains extended when the vehicle is folded.

Another object is to provide a baby carriage formed principally of light metallic strips suitably braced to provide a rigid structure.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved folding baby carriage in extended position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the carriage in folded position.

Figure 3 is a detail of the front axle portion.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the front axle portion showing the method of attaching the legs at this point.

The numeral 1 indicates a substantially rectangular continuous metall c strip, the ends of which are suitably joined together to form an endless frame. Suspended from frame 1 and joined thereto by an enclosing hem is the fabric hammock portion 2. Frame 1 and hammock 2 comprise the body portion of my improved carriage 1n whlch bedding is customarily carried. A U-shaped leg mem- Serial No. 215,013.

ber 3 has its ends pivotally connected to the sides of frame 1 forwardly of the middle, forming legs 5 and 6. U-shaped member 3 extends rearwardly and downwardly from its points of pivotal connection with frame 1 and adjacent its transverse portion a is drilled to freely carry the rear axle 7 with its wheels 8. The transverse portion of member 3 forms an integral cross brace to hold the parts rigid.

An additional cross brace 9 is mounted between the legs 5 and 6 and intermediate their ends. The ends of brace 9 are bent parallel to legs 5 and 6 and extend for substantial distances adjacent these legs to each of which brace 9 is firmly fastened. Thus brace 9 serves to hold the legs 5 and 6 rigid as well as to maintain their proper spacing.

Between the ends of each of legs 5 and 6 legs 10 and 11 respectively are pivotally connected. The main portions of legs 10 and 11 extend forwardly and downwardly from their pivotal connections with legs 5 and 6 and at their lower ends carry the front axle 12. Cross brace 13 is provided between legs 10 and 11 as well as suitable diagonal braces 14 and 15 extending upwardly and downwardly from the cross brace 13 to these legs. Front axle 12 is notched as indicated at 16, at the points where the legs 10 and 11 engage it.

The axle and the opening in the legs are preferably round but may be of any desired corresponding shapes.

hen the legs 10 and 11 are located adjacent notches 16 they are crimped as indicated at 17 in Figure at to form a permanent and rigid connection between the axle and the legs. This arrangement of parts utilizes the front axle as a cross brace. The axle 12 carries freely mounted wheels 18 at its extremities. At the rear portion of each side of frame 1 strips 19 are pivotally joined to extend upwardly and downwardly from their points of connection.

A suitable transverse member 20 joins their upper extremities and serves as a handle for the carriage. Below the pivotal connection with frame 1, strips 19 are pivotally joined at 21 with the upper ends of legs 10 and 11 and with one end of toggle joints 22. The opposite ends of toggle oints 22 are connected to frame 1. Spaced from the upper ends of legs 10 and 11 are pins The notches 2 in the lower extremities of strips 19 are adapted to engage pins 23 to limit the unfolding movement of the carriage and establish p oper alignment of the legs 10 and 11 with strips 19 which members form extensions of each other.

A U-shaped strip 25 is pivotally connected to either side of frame 1, preferably by the same rivets which attach strips 19. Awning 26 which is mounted on strip 25 is shown in extended position in Figure 1. Strip 25 may be swung back to rest againststrips 19 in which event the carriage is left wholly uncovered.

A cross brace 27 joins 1 and serves to supp awning so. A. retain toinary type is pro portion of the carriage.

To fold the carriage, the toggle joints 22 are released and the handle 20 swung forwardly and do\vnwardly. This action catrzes the axles 7 and 12 respectively to spread and the body portion rests in a position slig tly spaced from the axles. in the folded position illustrated in Figure 9, the strips 19 fold adjacent fran'ie 1 and the awning structure and handle fold as to lie in close proximity to and across the top of frame 1.

As previously stated, it is customary to place beddin in the carriage. In vehicles of this class, it has heretofore been necessary to remove the bedding to effect the folding movement since the body portimi was broken and. collapsed, In n'iy present device, however, it is not only p ible to fold the carriage with the beddi intact but the various rarriage parts serve to retain the bedding firmly in position. The depth of the hammock 2 is decreased in foldii )y contact with the axles and with the ore braces 4t, 9, and 13. The strap 28, s p brace 27, handle 20, and the awning; 26 are all positioned so as to hold the bedding in the body portion It can readily be seen that the present device ean be manufactured economically and without waste of material since the strips are all of uniform size. The carriage is very light and may be easily handled in either extended or folded position. In the folded position it may be rolled on the rear wheels 8.

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the va rious parts of my device may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

In a baby carriage, a rigid body frame, a flexible body carried thereby, a foldable wheel mounted frame supporting said body frame; a plurality of transverse braces connecting the members of said wheel mounted. frame,

ps 19 above frame (1 1e rear portion of strip 28 of the cusacross the middle 

